Article 2 of the Saudi Handicrafts and Manual Industries Law
المادة 2 من نظام الحرف والصناعات اليدوية · الفصل الأول: أحكام عامة
The article defines a craft or handicraft as an activity based mainly on manual work and divides it into artistic or heritage production and service crafts.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لأغراض تطبيق النظام، يقصد بالحرفة والصناعة اليدوية كل نشاط يرتكز أساسًا على العمل اليدوي، ويهدف إلى الإنتاج الذي يستمد تصاميمه وشكله وعناصره الفنية والزخرفية من التراث الثقافي المتوارث في مناطق المملكة، أو إلى تقديم خدمات خاصة بالمنتجات الحرفية اليدوية، وينقسم إلى قسمين:
أ- الحرفة والصناعة اليدوية الإنتاجية الفنية أو التراثية: وهي كل نشاط يهدف إلى الإنتاج عن طريق تحويل المواد الأولية (الخامات) إلى منتج حرفي مصنع أو نصف مصنع، بشرط أن تكون أكثرُ من نصف عمليات الإنتاج يدوية.
ب- الحرفة والصناعة اليدوية الخدمية: وهي كل نشاط يهدف إلى تقديم خدمة حرفية، وذلك عن طريق الإصلاح أو الصيانة أو الترميم، أو تقديم الخدمات من تسويق أو غيره.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 2 explained in plain English
This article determines what counts as a craft and handicraft for the purposes of applying the Law. The definition matters because it shows which activities are subject to the Law's provisions.
The general definition: any activity based mainly on manual work that aims at one of two things:
- Production whose designs, form and artistic and decorative elements are drawn from the cultural heritage handed down in the regions of the Kingdom.
- Or providing services related to handmade craft products.
The two categories:
- Artistic or heritage production crafts: an activity that turns raw materials into a manufactured or semi-manufactured craft product, provided that more than half of the production operations are manual. If most of the production is mechanized, the activity does not fall into this category.
- Service crafts: an activity that provides a craft service through repair, maintenance or restoration, or through services such as marketing or others.
This definition is linked to the definition of the craftsperson in Article 1, which is any natural or legal person who practices a craft or handicraft; whoever carries on an activity that fits this definition is a craftsperson. It is also linked to the definition of the craft license, which entitles its holder to practice the craft for commercial purposes or to trade as a main activity in craft products.
Article 3 then sets out the objectives of the Law, including preserving this activity, which is tied to the national cultural heritage, protecting it from disappearing and strengthening its competitiveness.
Practical example
Noura in Al-Ahsa makes baskets from palm fronds with traditional decorations and does most stages of the work by hand. This activity falls within the heritage production craft because its designs are drawn from heritage and more than half of its production operations are manual. A workshop in Jeddah that specializes in restoring heritage wooden doors, by contrast, falls within the service craft.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 2 of the Saudi Handicrafts and Manual Industries Law
What is the condition for a product to count as a handmade craft?
In artistic or heritage production crafts, more than half of the production operations must be manual.
Is restoring and repairing craft products a craft?
Yes. The service craft covers providing a craft service through repair, maintenance or restoration, or services such as marketing.
Must a craft be linked to heritage?
The definition covers production whose designs and elements are drawn from the cultural heritage handed down in the regions of the Kingdom, or providing services related to handmade craft products.
More articles on Definition of Crafts and Handicrafts
- Article 1
The article defines the key terms of the Handicrafts Law, including the craftsperson, the National Register of Craftspeople, the craft license, the Commission and the Ministry.
يُقصد بالألفاظ والعبارات الآتية -أينما وردت في هذا النظام- المعاني المبيّنة أمام كل منها، ما لم يقتضِ السياق غير ذلك: النظام: نظام الحرف والصناعات اليدوية. اللا
- Article 3
The article sets out the Handicrafts Law's objectives: regulating and developing the activity, protecting it from disappearing, strengthening its competitiveness and marketing its products locally and abroad.
يهدف النظام إلى تنظيم نشاط الحرف والصناعات اليدوية وتنميتها وتطويرها، بما يسهم في تعزيز هذا النشاط ذي الصلة بالتراث الثقافي الوطني المتوارث، والمحافظة عليه، وحم
- Article 17
The article requires the Minister of Culture to issue the Law's Implementing Regulations within no more than 120 days of publication in the Official Gazette, and they take effect when the Law does.
يصدر الوزير اللائحة خلال مدة لا تتجاوز (مائة وعشرين) يومًا من تاريخ نشر النظام في الجريدة الرسمية، ويعمل بها من تاريخ نفاذه.
- Article 18
The article provides that the Handicrafts Law takes effect 120 days after its publication in the Official Gazette and repeals any provision that conflicts with it.
يعمل بالنظام بعد مضي (مائة وعشرين) يومًا من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية، ويلغي كل ما يتعارض معه من أحكام.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.